Last transit of Venus for 105 years observed around the world

Sky watchers across the globe witnessed a rare astronomical event as Venus
passed directly between the Sun and Earth, a transit that will not happen
again until 2117.

The alignment of the Sun, Venus and Earth occurs only four times every 243 years. The transits of Venus happen in pairs eight years apart, with more than a century between cycles.

During the pass, Venus appeared as a small, dark round spot moving across the face of the Sun.

The last transit, which was visible over Japan, occurred in 2004 but the next one will not for another 105 years.

Astronomers, professional and amateur were out in force around the world to catch the celestial show.

The event is particularly significant in Australia. Captain James Cook discovered the east coast of the country while travelling to the island of Tahiti in the south Pacific to observe the transit of Venus in 1769.